Asia Pacific Leaders Malaria Alliance - APLMA

continues to face one of the highest burdens in the Asia Pacific region, with its unique geography, sociocultural diversity, and health system constraints posing significant challenges to elimination. However, 86% of the country’s malaria burden is concentrated in just nine provinces, highlighting the critical need for more targeted, subnational action.

To accelerate progress where the need is greatest, Papua New Guinea launched the Governors Ending Malaria (GEM) Coalition last month, building on a commitment made at the Provincial Leaders’ Forum during the 8th Asia Pacific Leaders' Summit on Malaria Elimination in 2024. The GEM Coalition unites governors from nine high-burden provinces to strengthen and align efforts through decisive provincial leadership and a whole-of-community approach.

Stay tuned as we unpack the state of malaria in Papua New Guinea and the action needed to address it next week. Explore key insights here: aplma.org/country/papua-new-guinea

The recent 10ᵗʰ Asia Pacific Leaders’ Summit on Malaria Elimination was an important milestone in the Greater Mekong Subregion’s journey toward a malaria-free future. Honorable Minister for Health Baykham Khattiya of Lao People’s Democratic Republic expressed national pride for the country’s remarkable gains across the last decades.

Nearly 30 years ago, malaria was once deeply woven into the daily life of people, particularly those living in forested and remote areas and who cross borders in search of livelihoods. In 1997, the country faced an estimated 460,000 malaria cases as children and vulnerable communities bore the greatest burden. That story has since changed: In 2025, fewer than 300 confirmed cases were recorded nationwide.

As the region strives towards elimination, Hon. Minister Khattiya pledges to sustain these gains with determination and accountability, through collaboration and open dialogue, and to remain committed to finishing the job in the spirit of regional solidarity.

Afghanistan's progress towards control and elimination has been uneven, with recent years marked by a stark reversal of earlier gains. Today, Afghanistan carries the fourth highest malaria caseload in the Asia Pacific region and continues to experience a sharp resurgence, recording over 257,000 cases in 2024 despite having achieved an 80% reduction in cases and zero malaria deaths less than a decade prior. This reversal of gains is unfolding alongside a significant funding gap that has left critical interventions unfunded for many years. As global health financing declines globally, commitments secured in the coming period will be pivotal in determining whether can close these gaps and restore momentum towards elimination.

Read our latest work below to learn more about Afghanistan's current malaria landscape and the priorities needed to strengthen the sustainability of the country's malaria response over the next five years: https://www.aplma.org/blog/malaria-in-afghanistan-recent-resurgence-and-key-priorities-for-the-next-five-years

’s malaria journey has been marked by remarkable progress, having achieved a 99% reduction in indigenous cases over the past 15 years. This achievement is a testament to decades of effort underpinned by sustained political commitment, strong regional collaboration, and robust malaria control and elimination strategies. However, maintaining zero transmission now demands greater vigilance and commitment than before.

Speaking to The Phnom Penh Post, Dr. Sarthak Das, CEO of APLMA, cautioned that declining cases should not be seen as a secured victory, but rather as an imperative for sustained investment, surveillance, and political commitment to safeguard hard-won progress and ensure that remains eliminated for future generations.

Read more to learn what it takes to keep zero at zero: phnompenhpost.com/national/success-brings-a-new-malaria-challenge-keeping-zero-cases-at-zero-says-aplma-chief

Papua New Guinea is confronted with rising cases, stalling progress toward elimination. Since 2015, indigenous cases have climbed sharply, reaching 910,747 in 2024. Today, the country accounts for 21% of the malaria burden in .

To address this pressing issue, is stepping up its response, to strengthen coordination through a new subnational platform that brings provinces together in shared strength and collective action. Stay tuned as we take a closer look next week: aplma.org/country/papua-new-guinea

Last mile priorities come firmly into focus following the recent 10ᵗʰ Asia Pacific Leaders’ Summit on Malaria Elimination.

His Excellency, Prime Minister Sonexay Siphandone of Lao PDR reaffirms the country’s commitment to malaria elimination by 2030, noting that while remarkable progress has been made through strong collaboration with governments, a collective push will make a difference in attaining the goal.

The coming years will be pivotal for Cambodia, Lao PDR, and Viet Nam must protect hard-won gains and prevent re-establishment while Myanmar and Thailand must adapt strategies to address persistent border hotspots.

The region has come too far to lose momentum. The time is now to translate political commitment into tangible strides toward elimination.

As the 10th Asia Pacific Leaders’ Summit on Malaria Elimination draws to a close, priorities for the next phase are firmly in focus. At this year’s Summit, health ministers and senior officials in attendance renewed their commitment through a Joint Call to Action, underscoring the need for tailored strategies, sustained political and domestic financial support, stronger partnerships, and greater regional accountability.

For Cambodia, Lao PDR, and Viet Nam, the coming few years are pivotal to protect hard-won gains alongside prevention of re-establishment and eventually achieve malaria-free certification. For Myanmar and Thailand, progress will depend on refreshed strategies that respond to persistent transmission in border areas and among vulnerable communities.

The Greater Mekong Subregion has come too far to lose momentum, and this is the moment to turn political commitment into targeted and more accountable action toward elimination.

Full press release: https://www.aplma.org/blog/press-release-prime-minister-of-lao-pdr-backs-renewed-regional-push-at-the-10th-asia-pacific-leaders-summit-on-malaria-elimination

The 10th Asia Pacific Leaders’ Summit on Malaria Elimination has commenced!

Graced by His Excellency Prime Minister Sonexay Siphandone of Lao PDR, the Summit opened with a call for countries to deepen domestic ownership and reinvigorate regional efforts as the Greater Mekong Subregion moves closer to elimination.

Throughout the day, senior health officials will engage in high-level dialogue to review progress, reflect on the need for differentiated approaches, and draw lessons from malaria-eliminated countries on sustaining gains. Various sessions will also examine how multidimensional financing can strengthen long-term resilience and help prevent the re-establishment of malaria in an evolving epidemiological context.

As discussions unfold, one message is clear: a malaria-free Greater Mekong Subregion is within sight, but getting there will require strong country ownership and a shared resolve.

ONE DAY TO GO. 🇱🇦

Tomorrow, 5 June 2026, the 10th Asia Pacific Leaders’ Summit on Malaria Elimination will take place in Vientiane, Lao PDR.

Under the theme “Committed to 2030: Regional Action for the Last Mile”, malaria leaders from across the will come together for this pivotal summit to reaffirm commitments toward malaria elimination.

The launch of the Governors Ending Malaria (GEM) Coalition in Port Moresby last week marks a significant step in Papua New Guinea's commitment toward malaria elimination. Honorable Minister for Health Elias Kapavore of Papua New Guinea led the signing ceremony together with local governors.

Bringing together the governors of 9 high-burden provinces, the GEM Coalition will strengthen the alignment of national priorities with subnational action, advancing malaria elimination efforts through a whole-of-community approach grounded in an evidence-based strategy. The Coalition seeks to increase domestic resource mobilization, empower innovation, and establish a mechanism for inter-provincial collaboration to drive a stronger response where it is needed most.

Launched alongside the updated National Strategic Plan for Malaria 2026–2030, this milestone reflects ’s renewed political commitment and active sub-national leadership to accelerating progress towards malaria , towards a safer, healthier, and more equitable future for all Papua New Guineans. Read more: https://www.aplma.org/blog/press-release-papua-new-guinea-provincial-leaders-unite-against-malaria---launch-of-the-governors-ending-malaria-gem-coalition